Gas-generator.



L. P. SEBILLE.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FiLED )UNE I6. 1915.

1,222,809. lufvnt'od Apr. 1?, 1917.

Z SHEUS SHiL'l tncwmz o 1. 6 0 F041 Z (Se bi L. F. SE/BILLE.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLlCATlON FELED JUNE 16. ms.

Patented M1117, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A 670 PM; (Se Alva UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEO PAUL SEBILLE, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

GAS-GENERATOR.

gases as generated to, and storing them under their own naturalaccumulated pressure in separate receptacles, and that without the useof intervening gasometers and with out mechanical means for compressingthe gases.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and practicalmeans for ef--- fectually ireventin excess iressure 0n l eitheinside ofthe generating system so as to positively eliminate the possibility ofthe blowing out of the liquid. electrolyte, which blowing out wouldpermit the mixing of the two gases and render the system dangerous.

The usual oxygen and hydrogen generat ing apparatus is provided with agasometer for receiving the gas as generated from the electrodes, andcompressors are employed for receiving the gas from these gasometers andplacing the same under the desired pressure in suitable storage tanks.

By my improved apparatus I avoid the use of both the gasometers nd alsothat of the gas compressors as by my system I am enabled to conduct thegases as formed directly into two separate pressure chambers and herethese gases are placed under their own natural accumulated pressures,which pressures may be raised to any degree, even to that of liquefyingboth of said gases if desired, and this without the employment of pumpsor other compressing apparatus.

It is found in practice in the operation of the ordinary type of oxygenand hydrogen generator that the pressure in one side due to variouscauses often becomes much higher than that in the other side of thegenerator, thereby blowing out the sealing liquid electrolyte andpermitting the two gases to mix which as is well known is extremelydangerous. 5

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1915.

The primaryobject of this inventionis to provide means for conductingthese- Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

Serial No. 104,092.

By the use of my improved apparatus this danger of blowing out of theliquid, and mixing of the gases is effectually prevented for the reasonthat as soon as the pressure on one side of the system rises apredetermined amount above that on the other side, the valves willautomatically operate to control the ports and again equalize thesepressures and so effectually prevent the displacement of the liquid.

-With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as Wlll bemore fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one general arrangement ofthe apparatus.

Fig. .2 is "a detail showingone view of one of the electrodes with onecorner of the separating diaphragm turned back.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. .2 showing the electrode and thegas opening on the side of the plate through which one of the gases passalso showing the liquid passageway and the openings on both sides of theplate through which the electrolyte passes.

Fig. -tlis a section on line l-4 of Fig. 2 showing a portion of theelectrode and the opening on the side of the plate opposite to thatshown in Fig. 3 through which the other gas passes.

Fig. 5- is a sectional view of the float and the closure for the valveopening also showing the holes through the neck of the valve stem forthe entrance of gas to the interior of the float.

Fig. 6* is a perspective view of one of the plates for retaining theseries of electrodes.

Fig. 7- is a transverse sectional view showing the electric connectionwhereby the current passes through the cells from one end of thegenerator to the other.

In my improved gas generating system it electrodes are submerged.

Referring to the drawings 10des1gnates the gas generator which may be-formed in rent through the electrolyte in whichthe till ' oppositesides thereof.

.automatimilly replenish the any si'litalole or convenient way. I haveshown. the same as constructed of a plurality of sheet-metal plates 11,eacn having.

two metal f anies 12 and 13, see liigs. 2, and a formed around its upperedge on 'lhese frames and plates are ea 'h provided with holes 14-, 15and 16. The frame lilis provided with an opening 17 on one side of theplatecoin- Kl'lflIilCilillIl with the hole ll, see Fig. 3, and the frame152 is provided with an opening 18 on the opposite side of the platecommunicating with the hole 15, see Fig. i, whereby the gas generated onone side of the plate 11 will he conducted to a receptacle separate andindependent from that generated on the opposite side of the plate", butas will he noted the hole 16 for the liquid electrolyte communicates byopenings 19 and 20 with hoth sides of the plate 11., whereby theelectrolyte has a free passage all through the system including theseparate chambers on both sides all o l these plates. Each of theseplates is so constructed that it constitutes a unit, and these units areseparated by a die-phiagni or thin sheet 21 of specially prepa redasbestos. Any desired number of these plates assembled side by side bywhich they are supported'on the rod 23 passing between the end plates 2and lfn order to hind these plates or electrodes together to resist thehigh pressure which they are called upon to withstand I have providedtwo end plates 24: and 25and have secured the whole together by means ofa number oi bolts or tie-rods 26. These electrodes are shown as beingmade in a square or rectangular form, but in some cases, Wheretl'ieprcssn re is high 1 make the plates in a circular or disk tori-nwhereby they are capable of carrying a greater pressure, but theseplates may he inad in any desired form to obtain. the results required.

As the {OM11 in the generator the hydrogen passes out through the holesl i into the pipe 27 thence to the float cl ainher 98 and up through thevalve opening 30 and pipe 31 into the larger tank or high pressureresisting container 393.

On the other side of the system the oxygen passes out-through the hole15 through the pipe 23, float chamber Pi l, valve opening 35 and pipe 36into a similar but smaller container 3?. The size of the oxygencontainer is less than that of the hydrogen container for the reasonthat the oxygen is generated onohall as last as the other. Theelectrolyte may he supplied to the system through. the supply tanks 38and 3f which are con nectcd to their res 'iective iloat chalnhe at thepoints 40 and ll wherehy they will system with fresh electrolytereplacii'zg the small amount which being carried over with theoutfiowing gases, gage glasses and 56 are messes connected to thechambers so that the height of the liquid may he readi y determined.Both of these float ehanihci are connected by pipes and 43 to thegenerator. whereby the electrolytewhich is free tov llow through theentire system stands at the same height in both chainh :s when thepressures in. both are equal.

In. practice the pressure tacles may become unequ a recep- *aany causesfor lustance more 0 gas trom from one chamber up through the valveopening; to the other chamber into the receptacle connected thereto,which case the two gases would become mixed with disar trons results. i

To ell'eetually obviate the possibility of such it happening, I havemounted floats ll and 4-5 in separate float cl ainhers and Ill; to hemoved vertically in their bearings 46, ll, 48 and 4.9 respectively. Thefloats are provided with long tubular necks 50 and 551 respectively, theupper end of the tube is closed and adapted to fit into its valve seats52 and so'thatwhen either rises a predetermined amount it will closethis small gas outlet and prevent further flow of gas to its receptarleuntil after the pressure is again reduced in this side oi the system aspresently explained.

in. the upper end of each oil these tubular stems, .l have formed anuinher of small holes 54 as best illustrated in 5 wherehy the {gaspressure in the float chamber rna enter the body of the float throughthe upper end of its tubular neck so that the pr ssure inside of thefloat will equalize-that outside of the same, and so prevent damage tothe float hy collapse or expansion. lin the drawing); 1 have indicatedsafety valves 59 and (50 connected to the recep- 62 for tacles, alsoreducing: valves 61 and drawn reducing the pressure of the gases as fromthe tanks.

in the operation of my improved gas generating system the oxygen isgenerated on one side of the plates and is conducted t-lll'v'lllfl'llthe pipe 33, iioa't chamber 3- valve opening 35.. pipe 36 directly intothe pressure tank 37 where the accunnilated pressure is raised to lhedesired degree. The hydrogen which is generated on the opprrute side ofthe plates passes up through the pipe 27, chamber 25, valve opening 30,pipe 31 into the pressure tank 32. If the pressure in .one of the tanks,say for instance, in the hydrogen tank, exceeds that in the oxygen tanka predetermined amount, this pressure will act upon the electrolyte infloat chamber 28 and drive the same downward in that chamber andcorrespondingly upward in chamber 34, thereby raising the float 4-5 andclosing the valve opening 35. lhe oxygen now generated is confined tothe small space above the liquid in the float chamber 3% thereby openingvalve 35 and permitting the oxygen gas in this chamber to enter itsreceptacle, and in this way the valves are caused to oscillate tointermittently open and close the outlet port and so maintain thepressures practically balanced in .both sides of the system. ()wing tothe long valve stem arrangement on the float it is impossible for theliquid to ever rise sufficiently in the float chamber to pass outthrough the valve opening, as the first rising action of thefloat due tothe rising liquid at once closes the opening.

It is found in practice of great advantage 'to remove the moisture fromthe gas before it enters the storing receptacle. In order to accomplishthis result n a simple and effective way, I have provided collecting Ichambers 63 and G t'whiclrcontain lime, or

other suitable moisture absorbing, material and have interposed onechamber in each of the pipe linesv between the {.fenerator and thereceptacles. In this way the gas enters the receptacle practically dryin which condition -it much more eflicient than when loaded with moisture.

A safety valve 5 is placed in the pipe carrying the electrolyte, wherebyit for any reason enough liquid should he accidentally admitted to thesystem to raise and close both of the float valves, the gas whichScontinucs to be generated will be trapped in the system and atdangerous excess pressure would result. I

If such a condition should arise the safety valve 65 would openauton'iatically and permit enough of the electrolyte to be dis charged,to restore the system to normal conditions. i

In some cases a pump or other suitable means may be employed for feedingelectrolyte to the system instead of employing the supply tanks 38 and39 shown in Fig. 1.

I have shown and described float operated alves for controlling thepressure in the different sides of the system, but I do not wish to berestricted to valves of this type as any suitable means may be providedfor regulating the pressures in the opposite sides of the system toeffectually prevent the blowing out of the liquid.

A number of storage or receiving tanks may be connected to either sideof the systear. in addition to tanks 32 and 37 I have also showncommercially portable tanks 57 and 5b. any desired number of which maybe connected to and filled from the system. ()6 designates theelectrical geuerator for providing the operatingcurrent to the plates.

In order to pass the electric current through the different cells of thegenerator from one pole to the other these cells are separated by adiaphragm of asbestos whose edges serve as an insulation between thecells, but whose middle portion when saturated with the electrolytebecomes a conductor (if-electricity for the reason that that portion ofthe a )estos held between the plates is so tightly squeezed that itprevents the entrance of the electrical conducting electrolytethereinto, therefore the current entering the wire at one end passesthrough all of the cells and out through the wire at the other end, thebolts 67 which do the binding of the plates 24 and 25 are fullyinsulatedfrom all of the parts.

I have shown and described one illustrative embodiment of my inventionbut I desire it to be understood that although specific terms areemployed they are used in a descriptive sense and not for the purpose oflimitation, the scope of the invention being defined and limited only bythe appended claims.

I I claim:

, 1. In a gas generator, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gasesseparately and sinmltaneonsly, separate pressure resisting storagecontainers connected to" receive the gases under pressure aS generated,and means for positively preventing the reg: rdless of the extent ofdifference in pressures said system being closed and Withoutautomatically controlled openings to the air. i

2. In a gas generator, means for generat ing oxygen and hydrogen gasessinmltane-g flow of as from one container to the other ously, means forconducting each of said gases to a separate pressure storage recep-'tacle, and an automatically act1iated;valve the gas pressures asgenmeans for conducting said gases to 4. In a machine of the characterdescribed,

means including an electric current for generating oxygen and hydrogengases, two

separate gas receiving chambers, means for conducting the differentgases to said difa valve controlled by ferent chambers, and

the pressure in one of the chambers for aut0- co mrxdulv'd:

hlfi-l'tlcttllL regulating the flow of gas to the other.

ln s rns'ichine of the character described, means for generating oxygenand hydrogen s separate chamber for receiving each of said gases underpressure and float cctu: means for automatically shutting oil? thesupply to one chember when the pres sure in the other exceeds that inthe first predetermined amount.

6, :1 Ins-chine of the character described, means for generating oxygenand hydrogen es, separate chambers for receiving each of the gases, ands float actuated valve for interrupting'hnd controlling the flow to onechamber when an excess pressure has so cumulatcd in the other chamber.

7. In a machine of the class described, at multiplicity of electrodes"for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, means for conducting each tou separate receptacle, valves in said conducting meenssnd meanscontrolled'by the ditlierence in said pressures for operating saidvalves to substzmtiully equalize the pressures on. both sides of thegenerator Without loss of gas.

8. ins machine-of the character described, mesnsfor generating oxygenand hydrogen gases, means for conducting'euch to a sepnrate pressurereceptacle, and float oper" ated valves controlled by thediderence ofpressures of said gases for controlling the openings to said receptaclesto edualize said pressures in the generator.

9. In a machine of the character described, means for generating'oxygenand hydrogen gases simultaneously, means for conducting said gases eachto e. sepnrate receptacle, a float chamber interposed in each gasconductor, ev valvefor shutting oil the supply to each receptacle, ahollow float in each chamber for operating each valve, and means wherebya difierence of pressure in said conductors moves said floats to operateone of said valves until the pressure is again each chamber foroperating each valve, and

means for admitting the outside pressure into said ll0et.'

11. A gas generator comprising a closed system, means for generatingoxygen and hydrogen simultaneously, means for conducting seid gases eachto a sepurste receptacle, a float chamber in each conductor eachcarrying liquid at a predetermined level, a valve for shutting off thesupply to each. receptacle located above the normal liquid level, :1float in ouch chamber connccted to its valve by a long tubular neck,

said neck oeing provided with openings {Ll} its upper end through whichthe gases may enter from the chamber end equalize the pressure on theinside and outside of the float.

12. In a gas generator, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gasessimultaneously, means for conducting said gases each to a )urete)ressurc rece )tecle. a float chamber interposed in each conductor, eachchamber :nrrying liquid at a predetermined level, a valve for shuttingoh the supply to each receptacle located a substantial dis tance abovethe normal liquid level, and n, float in each chamber for operating eachvalve.

in testimony whereof I n fix my signature in presence of a witness,

LEG- PAUL SllBl-lf ll.

Witness Hon/Ann HARLOW.

